Master template for engraving

ABSTRACT

A master template and method of forming same, the template comprising a mounting plate, and independent characters provided on the mounting plate, the independent characters each including opposite surfaces, one of which surfaces is concealed and extends in flush relation along said mounting plate and the other of which surfaces is exposed relative to said mounting plate. The independent characters may be of three-dimensional, twodimensional, or of sunk nature and each have substantially identical raised or recessed extents transversely of the mounting plate. A solvent is utilized for connecting the characters to the mounting plate such that the concealed portion of each of the characters substantially remains in generally flush relation with the mounting plate and the transverse extent of each of the characters remains substantially identical relative to one another on the mounting plate.

United States Patent ['19] Friedman Dec. 25, 1973 1 1 MASTER TEMPLATE FOR ENGRAVENG [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 170,602

[52] US. Cl 161/5, 40/125, 90/62,

156/62, 156/307, 161/7 [51] Int. Cl B44f1/00, B32b 31/18, G09f 7/10 [58] Field of Search 161/5, 7; 156/308,

156/62, 307; 90/13.2, 62; 40/125 A, 125 E, 125 F; 101/150 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,003,126 5/1935 Torstenson 40/125 F 2,012,614 8/1935 Madan 40/125 F 2,411,187 11/1946 Boogher... 40/125 F 2,069,286 2/1937 Strassner... 40/125 A 1,777,144 9/1930 lnnes 161/7 X 2,591,779 4/1952 Buck 40/125 A- 2,346,260 4/1944 Johnson... 40/125 F I 2,255,698 9/1941 Cooke 90/62 2,255,699 9/1941 Cooke 90/62 3,614,910 10/1971 Berlant 90/62 Primary Examiner-Philip Dier Attorney-Abraham Friedman et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A master template and method of forming same, the template comprising a mounting plate, and independent characters provided on the mounting plate, the independent characters each including opposite surfaces, one of which surfaces is concealed and extends in flush relation along said mounting plate and the other of which surfaces is exposed relative to said mounting plate. The independent characters may be of three-dimensional, two-dimensional, or of sunk nature and each have substantially identical raised or recessed extents transversely of the mounting plate. A solvent is utilized for connecting the characters to the mounting plate such that the concealed portion of each of the characters substantially remains in generally flush relation with the mounting plate and the transverse extent of each of the characters remains substantially identical relativevto one another on the mounting plate.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FIGI.

JEROME FRIEDMAN INVENTOR BY W ATTORNEYS FIGZ.

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WQBCDZFGHIJK p54 54 5 4 2 EMQQQOPQ R S TU 5o so X YZ v 50 E JEROME FRIEDMAN INVENTOR ATTORNEY MASTER TEMPLATE FOR ENGRAVING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Engraving machines generally employ what is characterized as a pantograph for engraving an article pursuant to intelligence derived from a tracing stylus, the latter displaced along a template unit. The conventional template unit generally includes a clamping assembly upon which may be clamped independent characters, of alphabetical, numerical or general design nature, along which characters the tracing stylus is to be displaced. Because of the independent characters, the conventional template unit is generally cumbersome, arranged in a complex manner thereby detracting from the engraving efficiency and relatively expensive.

In this respect, the characters are usually formed as part of a plate, each of the characters being integral and raised or sunk relative to respective plates. Therefore, because of the very nature of these independent plates, there is required a clamping unit for each of the plates thereby increasing the complexity associated therewith. Moreover, in those instances where the plate and raised characters thereof are utilized for forming a stamp by engraving, the stamp being used for indenting metal, plastic, wood, leather or any material ordinarily marked, the very configuration of the characters formed on the stamp, such as the configuration of the endmost corner portions thereof which extend at angles of less than 90, are not most effective for resisting fracture after prolonged use thereby reducing the extent of the useful life thereof and increasing the overall expense thereof because of the necessity for excessive replacement.

Another disadvantage associated with the conventional type of master character is the fact that each master character must be clamped independently of adjacent master characters along a generally straight line, thereby, not only increasing the extent of complexity associated both with the clamping of these independent master characters and the accuracy associated with forming the abutting side walls which contact one another of these master characters, but also reducing the extent of universality permitted in the orientation of the raised characters relative to one another for achieving engraving of characters which extend in universal relation relative to one another as is often desired for achieving interesting visual effects.

Another consideration which is important in the art of engraving is the fact that each of the characters must be provided with a uniform maximum raised or sunk extent transversely of the master upon which the characters are provided so that the engraved article, whether it be a stamp or otherwise, will be provided with a uniform display. Obviously, as those skilled in the art will readily understand, whenever the master of the combined characters is not provided with characters of generally identical maximum raised or sunk exand require further machining to provide the already engraved characters with identical heights, which machining may reduce the extent of clarity of the characters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an-object of the present invention to provide both a master template for engraving and a method of forming same which greatly improves the engraving art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a master template for engraving of inexpensive nature for enhancing the disposability thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the master template for engraving in which selected of the raised characters are provided with comer portions which extend over at least 90 for enhancing tent transversely of the plastic mounting plate, then as the pantograph stylus traces the raised portion of each of the characters, the article as engraved will not be provided with an engraved surface of accurately uniform extent. Therefore, the ultimate article, as engraved, will in many instances be less than desirable the durability and the resistance to fracture of a stamp formed during the engraving process, and the extent of clarity associated with the formation of the article which is ultimately stamped.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a master template for engraving which permits the formation of universally oriented characters relative to one another thereby enhancing the aesthetic features of the article as engraved.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a master template for engraving wherein each of the characters is provided with an identical maximum raised or sunk extent transversely of the mounting plate upon which the characters are provided for insuring the accurate engraving of the article to be operated upon.

To this end, the present invention relates generally to a method of engraving and of forming a master template for engraving, said method comprising positioning a plurality of independent characters on a mounting plate, providing said characters with substantially identical raised or sunk extents respectively in a direction generally transversely of said mounting plate, and securing said characters-to said mounting plate with solvent droplets such that one surface of each of said characters abuts said mounting plate through the intermediary of the solvent which by capillary action spreads into a thin layer therebetween, whereby said raised or sunk extents of said characters respectively, remain substantially identical relative to one another on said mounting plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective representation of a method for positioning raised characters or threedimensional characters upon a mounting plate;

FIG. 2 illustrates the general positions of applying solvent for securing each of the three-dimensional characters upon the mounting plate;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the method of utilizing a tracing stylus upon the master template as formed by the method illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged plan view of the top side of the letter M as exaggerated pursuant to the method of formation thereof of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of the alphabetical and numerical characters as formed pursuant to the principals of the present invention, wherein the characters are provided with wide corner portions and curved portions which are widely pronounced for clarity; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of isolated sunk character-masters in each of which is formed a groove corresponding to selected characters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the present invention relates generally to a master template generally denoted by the reference character 10. The master template 10 includes a flat plastic mounting plate 12 upon which are provided a plurality of three-dimensional characters 14, of generally identical raised extent, the characters 14 including alphabetical plastic letters. Each of the characters 14 is secured to the mounting plate 12 such as by means of a solvent, such as methyl ethyl Ketone, denoted by the reference character 16 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is important to recognize that other solvents may be utilized, and the choice of the solvent will, as those skilled in the art understand, depend on the compositional nature of the characters and the plate upon which the characters are to be provided.

Generally speaking, character definitions 18, or the like, are first marked upon the mounting plate 12 in a manner illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1, and thereafter the three-dimensional characters 14 are positioned on the mounting plate 12 to correspond to and be accommodated in the character definitions 18 respectively. Obviously, the purpose of providing the character definitions 18 as marked upon the mounting plate 12 is to permit the proper alignment of the three-dimensional characters 14 relative to one another on the mounting plate 12.

It should be understood that each of the threedimensional characters 14 is provided with an exposed surface relative to the mounting plate 12 and a concealed surface (not shown), that which is the underside of each of the characters 14, for lying in generally flush relation with the surface of the mounting plate 12. The provision of solvent droplets 16, after the preceeding disposition of the characters 14 on the plate 12, in a manner as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is an important aspect of the present invention in that the solvent 16 reacts with the plastic characters 14 and plate 12, and contacts portions of the exposed surfaces of each of the three-dimensional characters 14 and the mounting plate 12. Thereafter, by capillary action, the solvent spreads into a thin layer and extends in interposition between the underside of the three-dimensional characters 14, that which is in direct contact with the mounting plate 12, to thereby insure that the maximum raised extent of each of the three-dimensional characters 14, taken generally transversely of the mounting plate 12, is generally identical to the maximum raised extents of adjacent three-dimensional characters 14 over the entire mounting plate 12.

In this respect, the solvent droplets 16 are constituted such that, upon contact with the plastic characters 14 and plastic mounting plate 12, there results a softening of the plastic members 12 and 14 respectively in contact with the solvent 16 thereby permitting mutual adhesion to one another. Since the solvent droplets l6 spread into a thin uniform layer between the characters 14 and plate 12, there is insured uniformity of the raised extents of the characters 14 relative to one another on the plate 12. Moreover, a flat surfaced rigid member (not shown) may be used to insure the common elevation of the raised extents of the characters respectively by being biased and urged against the characters 14- simultaneously after all have been subjected to the solvent droplets 16.

This feature insures that the article to be engraved (not shown) pursuant to conventional engraving principals will be provided with characters of uniform height without the necessity for further operating upon the engraved article such as by grinding or the like to provide raised characters of uniform vertical extent in crosssection.

In this respect, referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the conventional engraving machine, of pantograph variety, is provided with a tracing arm 20 terminating in an end portion 22 and carrying a tracing stylus 24 in a bore 26 extending through the end portion 22 thereof. The tracing stylus 24 is utilized for displacement along and over the entire exposed surface of the three-dimensional characters 14 on the mounting plate 12 and as the tracing arm 20 moves accordingly, a cutting device (not shown because of the conventional nature thereof) acts to appropriately reproduce the traced three-dimensional characters 14. I

Since each of the three-dimensional characters 14 is provided with generally identical maximum raised extents taken generally transversely of the mounting plate 12, and because there is only a thin layer of solvent in interposition between the underside of the threedimensional characters 14 and the mounting plate 12, the maximum raised extent of each of the characters 14 relative to one another on the mounting plate 12 remain uniform over the entire surface of the mounting plate 12. Therefore, the conventional cutting device (not shown) connected to the tracing arm 20 will cut and reproduce characters on an article to be engraved (such as a stamp, not shown) such that the engraved characters will also be provided with uniform maximum raised extents thereby obviating any necessity for further grinding these engraved characters further, the latter being a time consuming and expensive operation at best. Obviously, in those instances where the engraved article is to be used as a stamp, the maximum raised extents, of necessity, must be identical for each of the characters. Machining is often necessary, but obviated because of the present invention.

The above procedure may also be utilized in what is commonly understood as two-dimensional engraving and further when engraving with what are characterized as sunk-masters. The difference between twodimensional engraving and three-dimensional engraving is that in the former instance, the characters have a generally flat raised surface and only its peripheral contour is traced by the pantograph stylus, whereas in the latter instance, the characters have a raised surface of selected contour, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, which is, together with its peripheral contour, traced by the stylus. Engraving with sunk masters involves tracing a groove provided in a master, which groove is that of the character, alphabetical, numerical or other design. In both the two-dimensional and sunk-master instances,

the plastic characters may be placed upon a plastic mounting plate and, thereafter, a suitable solvent may be in droplet form utilized for securing one to the other in a manner as described above for the threedimensional characters. This procedure clearly enhances the dispositional universality of the characters relative to one another permitted on a master, the speed at which the masters may be manufactured, and the disposability of the masters when they are no longer required.

Another feature of the present invention, that which is most clearly illustrated in M68. 4 and 6 of the drawings, is the fact that the plastic threedimensional characters 14 are formed initially such that selected of these characters 14 (A, M, N, V and W) are exaggerated somewhat so as to enhance the durability and resistance to fracture of those characters of an engraved stamp and, moreover, insure the clarity in the formation of the article which is ultimately stamped.

in this respect, the letter M generally denoted by the reference character 28 and illustrated in FlG. l is taken by way of example for the purpose of clarifying the aforementioned latter feature of the present invention. The character 28 is provided with a pair of vertical limbs 30, a pair of horizontal limbs 32, a pair of inclined limbs 34 and a transitional horizontal limb 36. The limbs 30 and 32 as intersecting relative to one another define what may be characterized as an endmost corner portion and intersect one another at an angle of substantially 90. Moreover, the limbs 32 and 34 intersect one another at an angle of substantially greater than 90 and, therefore, the tracing stylus 24 may be moved in constant contact with the limbs 3d, 32 and 30 without abruptly in a generally reversible manner having to change direction at what may be characterized as an apex corner portion that would otherwise be defined by, in a manner as is conventional, the intersection of the limbs 30 and 34 with one another directly and not through the intermediary of the limb 32.

Thus, because of the provision of the limb 32 between the limbs 30 and 34, the durability of the corner portions of the ultimately formed engraved characters defined by the intersection of the limbs 3th and 32 and 32 and 34 with one another is enhanced and, thereby, most resistant against wear or fracture. in this respect, as is conventional in the art, the limbs 3d and 34 would normally intersect one another at an acute angle and terminate in an apex corner portion which is more likely than not, after extensive use, to fracture as the engraved article or stamp is respectively subjected to severe impact.

Similarly, the provision of the transitional limb 36 between each of the inclined limbs 34 enhance the durability of the ultimately formed engraved character 28, since in this manner too, there is absent the intersection of limbs at a corner portion at an angle of substantially less than 90. This particular feature, although discussed with regard to the reference character 2%, the letter M, also may be extended to include the letters A, N, V and W. These letters aforementioned are frequently used in the stamping procedure and because of the corner portions which, in the prior art, define acute angles or angles of substantially less than 90, are most subject to fracture.

Moreover, when these letters aforementioned have a configuration as illustrated in FIGS; 4 and d, pursuant to the principals of the present invention, the overall clarity of the engraved characters is enhanced substantially because the tracing stylus 24 will remain in direct contact with the exposed surface of the characters being traced and will not have to be displaced so as to reversibly change direction abruptly in a manner as would otherwise be done along characters having acute apex angles of conventional configuration This feature also lends itself to both two-dimensional engraving and engraving with sunk-masters, the latter which are designated characters as, illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the characters 6@ are sunk or formed as grooves 62 of uniform depth, certain of which have selective corner portions which extend over at least it is still another feature of the present invention to form each of the three-dimensional characters M such that in cross-section, in a manner illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the characters is generally pentagonal. In this respect, each of the characters is provided with a pair of inclined sidewalls 38 which extend generally at angles of 30 relative to the base portion 39, that which is concealed relative to the mounting plate 12, and terminates at respective reenforcing shoulders 40, each of which is inclined relative to one another at the apex 42 thereof at substantially 90. The feature of providing the reenforcing shoulders 40 such that they are inclined relative to one another in general mutually perpendicular relation further enhances the durability of the characters M and, therefore, notwithstanding the fact that each of the characters 14 is utilized for stamping, the useful life of each of these characters 14 will be significantly enhanced.

Summarizing, therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the letters A, M, N, V and W are those which are normally provided with sharp corners or intersecting portions at acute angles and are used to a great extent, thus, requiring means for significantly enhancing the durability thereof. Therefore, each of the ultimately engraved letters A, M, N, V and W are provided with inclined limbs 5%, vertical limbs 52 and horizontal limbs 54 all of which intersect one another at angles which are substantially greater than or at least equal to 90, thus, significantly resistingfracture. Moreover, because of the provision of each of these inclined limbs 50 and vertical and horizontal limbs 52 and 54 respectively, the clarity of the ultimate engraved characters is also further enhanced, this too constituting a significant feature of the present invention. Furthermore, each of the characters, whether of two-dimensional, three-dimensional or sunk variety, is provided with a maximum raised or sunk extent generally transversely of the mounting plate 12 and, therefore, the engraved characters will all be provided with a uniform elevation requiring absolutely no further grinding or machining, the latter being excessively expensive and time consuming.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1, A master template for guiding a tracing stylus comprising a flat plastic mounting plate; independent threedimensional plastic characters each including opposite surfaces one of which surfaces is concealed and extends in flush relation along said mounting plate and the other of which surfaces is exposed relative to said mounting plate and defines guide means for guiding a tracing stylus, said characters being slidably movable on said mounting plate to any desired positions thereon; and solvent means interposed between the concealed surfaces of said characters and said mounting plate, said mounting plate and said characters being made from a plastic responsive to said solvent means, whereby said solvent means dissolves abutting surfaces of said characters and mounting plate to thereby secure the former to the latter once said characters have been brought to desired positions.

2. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein selected of said characters include corner portions which extend over at least 90.

3. A master template as claimed in claim 2, wherein said corner portions include respectively at least one horizontally extending limb.

4. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent means which connects said characters to said mounting plate includes solvent droplets in contact with both the exposed of said opposite surfaces and said mounting plate and extending as a thin layer between said mounting plate and the concealed of said opposite surfaces.

5. A master template as claimed in claim 4 wherein said characters are of sunk nature and extend betwen opposing faces which constitute said opposite surfaces.

6. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein said characters, in cross-section, include five faces, four of which faces constitute the exposed of said opposite surfaces and one of which faces constitutes the concealed of said opposite surfaces. 

1. A master template for guiding a tracing stylus comprising a flat plastic mounting plate; independent three-dimensional plastic characters each including opposite surfaces one of which surfaces is concealed and extends in flush relation along said mounting plate and the other of which surfaces is exposed relative to said mounting plate and defines guide means for guiding a tracing stylus, said characters being slidably movable on said mounting plate to any desired positions thereon; and solvent means interposed between the concealed surfaces of said characters and said mounting plate, said mounting plate and said characters being made from a plastic responsive to said solvent means, whereby said solvent means dissolves abutting surfaces of said characters and mounting plate to thereby secure the former to the latter once said characters have been brought to desired positions.
 2. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein selected of said characters include corner portions which extend over at least 90* .
 3. A master template as claimed in claim 2, wherein said corner portions include respectively at least one horizontally extending limb.
 4. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent means which connects said characters to said mounting plate includes solvent droplets in contact with both the exposed of said opposite surfaces and said mounting plate and extending as a thin layer between said mounting plate and the concealed of said opposite surfaces.
 5. A master template as claimed in claim 4 wherein said characters are of sunk nature and extend betwen opposing faces which constitute said opposite surfaces.
 6. A master template as claimed in claim 1, wherein said characters, in cross-section, include five faces, four of which faces constitute the exposed of said opposite surfaces and one of which faces constitutes the coNcealed of said opposite surfaces. 